McMahon knows highways. We build greater experience and trust in every project. Our highly skilled and experienced designers have completed numerous feasibility studies, conceptual design, preliminary engineering, final design, and construction observation and management services for a variety of transportation improvement projects following the design standards and procedures for local, county, state, and turnpike agencies.
Highway & Intersection Design
Our highway work includes design for intersection improvements, new roadways, widening and overlay, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities accomodations. Look to McMahon staff for all preliminary engineering and final design tasks and procedures, including environmental clearance (NEPA), utility coordination, geometric design, drainage design, pavement design, pavement marking and signing, traffic control, utility relocation coordination, construction plan preparation, cost estimates, special provisions, and bid documents in accordance with agency design standards and project procedures. Our involvement with these projects includes assistance with the initial project development, overall project management, design, and construction letting.
Municipal Roadway Design
Through reputation of product and excellent working relationships, McMahon is selected to complete a large number of municipal roadway projects that are funded by state and county grants or by the local municipality. Current and past projects include simple intersection geometric improvements for additional capacity, intersection realignment to improve safety, new local roadway alignments, resurfacing and reconstruction, and drainage improvements. McMahon takes the lead role in the development of cost effective design solutions related to storm drainage, pavement rehabilitation, creative bidding techniques, and construction troubleshooting. Our experience and knowledge of requirements with highway occupancy permitting, utility relocation coordination, construction plan preparation, bid documents, technical specifications, bidding activities, construction administration, and construction observation will help you avoid pitfalls and speed permit approvals.
Transportation Enhancement Design
Federally funded Transportation Enhancements (TE) projects are community-based, non-traditional projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the transportation system. Projects include: bicycle and pedestrian trails, sidewalk implementation, and downtown streetscape improvements.
McMahon is experienced in developing, designing and implementing TE projects, including all preliminary engineering and final design tasks and procedures, environmental clearance (NEPA), geometric design, lighting design, landscape amenities, utility relocation coordination, construction plan preparation, cost estimates, special provisions, and bid documents.
Highway Access Permitting
If you’ve ever waited for an access permit, you know it helps to know the system inside and out. We do!
As a consultant to private developers and municipalities, McMahon completes access and off-site intersection designs and prepares access permit plans for a variety of projects.
As a consultant to state DOTs and municipalities, McMahon evaluates designs for site access roads, driveways, and off-site roadway improvements submitted by municipalities and/or developers. Our firm also reviews plans and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance with state DOT regulations and design and permitting guidelines; coordinates communications among the DOT, applicant, and engineering consultants; and issues review letters.
Traffic Calming
With a host of tools in the traffic engineering toolbox, McMahon can help you tame tiger traffic areas. We have the experience needed to help you reduce speeds, manage volume, and cut-through volumes in the interest of public safety. Our highway engineers work with our traffic planners and engineers to design effective traffic calming measures, such as changes in vertical and horizontal alignment with roundabouts, curb bump outs, speed humps, median barriers, and raised/textured crosswalks to name a few.
Right-of-Way Acquisition
No construction begins before right-of-way acquisition is complete. In any size project, the process starts during preliminary engineering and continues into the final design stage, as McMahon identifies the need for fee simple right-of-way, temporary construction easements, and utility easements. We then prepare preliminary and final right-of-way plans, property plots, legal descriptions and all other technical documents in accordance with DOT standards and local requirements. McMahon often takes the lead role on behalf of the state DOT in coordinating the acquisition of right-of-way during more complex state and municipal highway efforts. We work with real estate attorneys, appraisers, and other land acquisition experts to achieve success efficiently.
Roadway Environmental Permitting
Roadways impact the earth and waterways, which leads McMahon clients to the need for environmental permitting. McMahon stays abreast of changing regulations, and helps public and private clients obtain environmental permits for all types of roadway and private access road projects. We identify whether permits are needed for erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, construction disturbance, threatened and endangered species, wetland impacts, floodplains, and stream encroachment. Then we coordinate with environmental scientists and review agencies, prepare erosion and sediment control plans, prepare wetland and stream encroachment permit plans, and complete and submit permit applications for all types of our projects.
